Sisters have a woolly idea to beat fatbergs
Two high school students have come up with a new way to use wool and prevent ‘‘fatbergs’’ clogging up sewerage systems at the same time.
Sisters Nicola, 17, and Jessica Stanton, 15, have invented a kitchen drain filter made of wool that fits in a sink-basket type drain, helping prevent fat and oils entering the wastewater system. It is those fats and oils that cool and build up in the pipes, snagging random items and causing ‘‘fat bergs’’ that block drains and cost thousands to unclog.
‘‘We wanted to develop a product that prevented oil and fat going down the sink, which would prevent blockages, which would prevent spillovers in wetlands and beaches,’’ Nicola said.
Their project showed enough promise that the Waitara High School students won the Agriculture Sustainable award at last month’s Taranaki science and technology fair.
So far their most effective filter was made out of a mix of romney and merino wool, and it managed to prevent up to 50% of oil and fat that would enter an unfiltered basketwaste plug hole. The pair say they are ready to pitch it to businesses to develop a prototype that could go on the market.
Jessica said they grew up on a farm and hoped their idea could help ‘‘revive’’ the market for wool.
‘‘There is no market for wool now because of the synthetic fibre market and our dad was wondering what we could have done with all the wool left.’’
The sisters said wool was a sustainable and biodegradable product.
They were proud to represent their community and their school, they said.
‘‘We are also proud to show the capability of Māori women to thrive in science,’’ Nicola said.